A three-game unbeaten run in the Premier League has come to an end for Arsenal, who are looking like a bit of a shaky side at the moment. They threw away a three-goal lead in Champions League midweek, then followed that up by losing 2-1 to Swansea City on Sunday.
3 things we learned from Swansea City’s impressive 2-1 win over Arsenal
The Swans pulled off an impressive comeback after going down an hour in.
Stu Forster
The first half was chippy, with few chances, but the hosts had the two best opportunities to score. They should have had a penalty in the 21st minute when Calum Chambers barged Wilfried Bony in the back, preventing him from getting his head to a cross, but Phil Dowd didn't see a foul. Swansea forced the only decent save of the half from either keeper 15 minutes later, when Wojciech Szczesny had to parry away a low drive from Marvin Emnes off a slick pass from Bony.
Heavy rain made it tough for both teams to play in the second half, but the weather also contributed to Arsenal's opening goal. Tom Carroll slipped in the center of the pitch, allowing Arsenal to start a counter, and they executed it beautifully. Santi Cazorla found Danny Welbeck running down the right wing with a gorgeous ball, and the Arsenal striker played a perfect cutback to Alexis Sanchez to finish off, putting the Gunners ahead.
Garry Monk responded by subbing on Modou Barrow, giving him his Premier League debut, and the Swede didn't disappoint. He wasn't on long before he took off on a blazing run through the center, beating multiple Arsenal players before Kieran Gibbs, left with no choice, had to haul him down and take a booking. However, that foul didn't prevent a goal -- Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up and curled a perfect free kick into the back of the net to equalize.
As stunning as that equalizer was, the go-ahead goal three minutes later was even more surprising. Jefferson Montero -- who was excellent all game -- torched Chambers on the left flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross to substitute striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who rose up above Nacho Monreal and headed past Szczesny to give Swansea the lead.
Arsene Wenger responded instantly with two substitutions, bringing on Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott for Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini. The Gunners picked up the pace with them on the pitch, but ultimately failed to find an equalizer.
Swansea: Fabianski, Taylor, Williams, Bartley, Rangel, Ki, Carroll (Britton 87’), Montero, Sigurdsson, Emnes (Barrow 67’), Bony (Gomis 76’)
Goals: Sigurdsson (75’), Gomis (78’)
Arsenal: Szczesny, Gibbs, Monreal, Mertesacker, Chambers (Sanogo 90’), Flamini (Wilshere 79’), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Ramsey (Walcott 79’), Sanchez, Welbeck
Goals: Sanchez (63’)
3 things
1. Arsenal are still dependent on Alexis Sanchez - The low volume of chances that Arsenal created on Sunday was pretty stunning. Swansea are a quality team with a very good home record since coming up to the Premier League, but their midfield and defense isn’t good enough to keep Arsenal as quiet as they did. When the Gunners did score, they needed Sanchez to do it. And when he wasn’t creating things, they did nothing at all.
2. Calum Chambers is a teenager - Yes, Calum Chambers is one of the best prospects in English football, but he’s still 19. He’s going to be an excellent player for Arsenal and England for a very long time, but he looked his age in this match, getting burned by Jefferson Montero regularly and giving away what should have been a penalty, even if Phil Dowd didn’t spot it.
3. Modou Barrow can play - Most of the audience probably hadn’t heard of Swansea substitute Madou Barrow before this match. He was the catalyst that sparked their comeback with his incredible individual run through the center that drew the foul leading to Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal. He’s earned himself some more playing time with this showing.
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